Yobs risked lives by throwing hosepipe onto A1

Ross Robertson

Police are warning youths who are throwing objects from bridges onto the A1 that they could kill.

The message comes after two incidents in the last week where the lives of drivers were put at risk by the actions of "mindless youths" in the North East.

Around 7:30pm on Wednesday, July 14, two youths were seen dangling a length of hosepipe from the flyover between Westerhope and Blakelaw in the Newcastle area.

The hosepipe reached the carriageway and was dragged across the lanes of traffic.

A second incident occurred on the evening of Sunday July 17, an unknown object was again thrown from the Westerhope and Blakelaw bridge. It hit and damaged the windscreen of a car that was travelling southbound.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police: said thankfully in both cases no one was hurt.

Newcastle Inspector Karen Murray said: "I struggle to understand how anyone, of any age, can think it is a good idea to throw things onto a busy motorway.

"The potential consequences are huge and it could end up killing a person or even people. We are carrying out plain clothed patrols in the areas near to the foot bridges to try and catch who ever is doing this and put a stop to it.

"We are also looking at getting CCTV cameras installed in the areas around the bridges so we can get images of those responsible and take action. If anyone sees or knows anyone who is doing this then please report it to us straight away.

"The youths involved might see this as some kind of game, but I assure you it isn't. What they are doing could end up killing someone and we will not stand-by and allow it to happen."